By Neil Madigan
Padraig Amond cancelled out Stephen Walsh’s opening goal for Galway but Blues will now face this year’s Promotion/Relegation Play-Off.
Waterford FC hosted Galway United at the RSC, in a crucial final day League of Ireland Premier Division encounter. The objective for Matt Lawlor’s Blues was to win at all costs. With both sides eager to finish the season with a vital result, the match carried significant importance with both sets of fans flocking in their numbers for the occasion.
Waterford, backed by their home supporters, sought to assert dominance and claim vital points, while Galway aimed to maintain consistency and spoil the hosts’ ambitions, while saving themselves. Under crisp autumn skies, the stage was perfectly set for a tense, competitive affair filled with energy, tactical battles, and moments that would shape both clubs’ fate for 2026.
With the contest starting, both sets of fans were in full voice trying to replicate a fast start onto the pitch. The scene was set and the tensions were high with the first moments seeing both sides trying to get on the front foot. With nothing to separate the sides in the opening ten minutes, the only half chance came in the Blue’s favour, as a dangerous ball over the top from Grant Horton narrowly missed the head of Tommy Lonergan, who was arriving at the back post.
While momentum was beginning to gather for the hosts, a blow was delivered by the visitors on the 16th minute as a freekick from deep was met by the head of Stephen Walsh, who found the bottom corner, putting the Tribesmen ahead.
On the 20 minute mark, it was the visitors who nearly doubled their lead through a rocketing volley from Robert Burns, which was excellently pushed away by Stephen McMullan. With the Blues looking for a way back in, a chance appeared for an equaliser just on the half hour mark, through a Conan Noonan free kick which Tommy Lonergan got on the end of but was ultimately unable to convert. The Tribesmen were quick with a response as moments later Stephen Walsh nearly doubled his tally for the day by rattling the crossbar.
With the half drawing to a close, the home faithful had reason to spring back to life. No other than Padraig Amond found himself on the end of a brilliant delivery to head home and send the RSC into pandemonium. As the half time whistle sounded, the contest was well and truly on.
The start of the second half replicated the first one: a tense atmosphere with both sides trying to find their feet. A draw was not going to be enough for the Blues at this stage so finding quick momentum was pivotal. The ambition looked there for the Blues in the opening moments of the second half. Efforts from Conan Noonan and Dean McMenamy could not find the target but this brought optimism that there was more to come.
With the game entering the last 20 minutes, the Blues had the lionshare of control but were struggling to find an opening to complete the turnaround that was needed. During this period, it was McMenamy who came the closest from a breaking ball in which he toe-poked narrowly over the bar. With minutes to go, another chance presented itself for the hosts as a good delivery from the left flank into the box found the head of a rising Tommy Lonergan, who was unable to keep his header down.
As the final whistle sounded, there was a sheer sense of disappointment around the ground as the club now faces this year’s promotion/relegation play-off against Bray Wanderers this coming Friday in Tolka Park. Focus now shifts to that as the Blues have one more chance to retain their Premier Division status for 2026.
Waterford FC: McMullan (GK); Horton, Radkowski (62′ Smith), Leahy, Burke, White (82′ Faal); Glenfield (46′ McMenamy), Noonan, Olayinka (87′ Coyle); Lonergan, Amond (C).
Galway United FC: Clarke (GK); Esua, Brouder, Buckley, Burns; Hurley (69′ Slevin), Hickey, Keohane (C) (78′ Piesold), McCarthy (69′ McCormack), Bolger (90′ Horgan); Walsh.
Attendance: 3,211.
